Senior Staff Attorney, Anti-Trafficking Initiative

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Staff Attorney is a key position within  Sanctuary for Families’ Anti-Trafficking Initiative (ATI). The ATI team  is composed of attorneys and case managers who collaboratively provide  holistic legal representation and case management to thousands of  survivors of human trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence.  The Senior Staff Attorney provides direct representation and supervises  other attorneys representing survivors of human trafficking in their  immigration, vacatur and criminal justice matters. In addition, the  Senior Staff Attorney educates the public, government, social service,  legal, medical and law enforcement communities about issues relating to  human trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence. Finally,  this attorney will advocate for legislative and policy changes for human  trafficking survivors.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Screens and provides legal representation for survivors of human trafficking and their eligible family members.
•  Trains, supervises and mentors pro bono attorneys and staff attorneys, legal interns, law student fellows, and volunteers.
•  Advocates  for clients facing a wide variety of legal and social systems, such as  immigration and other government agencies, criminal justice, public  benefits, etc.
•  Collaborates with clinicians, attorneys, health  care providers, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,  prosecutors’ offices, and any other stakeholder, to secure the best  results for clients.
•  Represents Sanctuary for Families at service provider and community events relevant to Anti-Trafficking work.
•  Designs  and delivers trainings to educate the public, legal service providers,  community-organizations and other social service providers about issues  pertinent to human trafficking and co-occurring forms of gender  violence.
•  Designs and implements targeted initiatives for  client populations that require tailored, culturally competent legal  services and outreach, as needed.
•  Collaborate with Sanctuary’s Data Team to compile, analyze, and provide periodic progress reports to funders.
•  Performs  any other departmental or agency-related duties or special projects as  requested by the Director of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative. 

• Admitted to practice law in a U.S. state bar;
• Minimum of 5 years experience practicing immigration and/or criminal law, preferably in the public interest sector;
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws that pertain to human trafficking, especially immigration and criminal law;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, public speaking, and leadership skills;
• Excellent judgment;
• Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g Spanish, Mandarin);
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure; 
• Ability to motivate, inspire, and manage staff;
• Deep  understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse  national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds;  and
• Energetic and passionate about Sanctuary’s mission to end gender violence and human trafficking.

Budgeted Salary:  $82,000 - $96,500 per year; based on relevant years of legal experience  

This position is Full-time; Salaried-Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job site/location schedule obligations

Benefits:

•     Health, Dental and Vision Insurance 
•     Employer-paid life insurance 
•     Employer retirement contribution
•     Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
•     Generous Leave Policy
•     Flexible spending account / Health savings account
•     Student loan assistance
•     Tuition reimbursement program
•     Gym reimbursement program  
•     Wellness program and rewards

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws. Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety, healing and self-determination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence is at the intersection of racial, gender, economic, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability justice, as well as many other critical issues. In order to realize our mission, Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.